The XR500'79 was sold in 1979 in Tahitian Red. The "HONDA" tank decal
was red. The top of the
tank, side cover panels, and headlight cowl were black. The "XR500" side cover graphic was red
and white. The
front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18". The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder
with 2 head
pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began PE01-5000001

The XR500'80 was sold in 1980 in Tahitian Red. The gas tank had a wing
decal. The control levers
and kickstarter arm were black. This year it had a smaller muffler. The
front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18". The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder
with 2 head
pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began PE01-5100001

The XR500'81 was sold in 1981 in Tahitian Red. The number plate panels
were black. The "XR"side
cover decal was black. The engine color was solid black. The rear suspension had a Pro-Link.
The gas tank was
plastic. The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17". The engine had reed valve induction.
The engine was a
498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with 2 head
pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PE010*BM200013

The XR500'82 was sold in 1982 in Tahitian Red. The number plate panels
were white. The "XR" side
cover decal was white. The engine color was black with polished cylinder head fins. The rear
suspension had a
Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17". The engine
had reed valve
induction. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with 2 head
pipes. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PE010*CM300003

The XR500'83 was sold in 1983 in Flash Red. The number plate panels were
yellow. The seat and tool
bag were blue. The fork boots were black. the "500R" swingarm decal was also black. The front
brakes were
hydraulic disc. The rear suspension had a Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The engine was a
498cc OHC
RFVC dry sump single cylinder fueled by two carburetors and had two head pipes. The
transmission was a
5-speed. The serial number began JH2PE030*DM000022

The XR500'84 was sold in 1984 in Flash Red. It had plastic handguards. The
"500R" swingarm decal was red and white. The front brakes were hydraulic disc. The rear
suspension had a Pro-Link. The gas tank was plastic. The engine was a 498cc OHC RFVC dry
sump single cylinder fueled by two carburetors and had two head pipes. The transmission was a
5-speed.Engine: RFVC radial valve, 498cc dual-carburetor dry sumpSuspension: Pro-Link rear suspensionBrake: Disc front brakeWheelbase: 1425mm (56.1 in.)Dry weight: 121 kg (266.7 lb)Seat height: 950mm (37.4 in.)Front wheel travel: 280mm (11 in.)Rear wheel travel: 280mm (11 in.)
The serial number began JH2PE030*EM100001